100 years after guns fell silent

100 years after guns fell silent

14 November 2018

ONE hundred years to the day after the end of World War 1, Downpatrick paid its tribute to the fallen on Sunday.

The day’s events began at Down Cathedral at 6am when a piper from Hollymount Pipe Band played a lament to mark the signing of the Armistice.

At 12.30pm the bells of Down Cathedral and Down Parish Church rang out as they did 100 years ago when they let the people of Downpatrick know that the war was over.

Later in the afternoon, the town’s annual Remembrance Day commemoration took place. There was added poignancy and sadness to the occasion by the death the previous day of Mr Albert Colmer, who was president of the Downpatrick Royal British Legion branch.

In time-honoured tradition Legion members, ex-service personnel, youth groups and representatives of the PSNI and Fire and Rescue Service gathered at The Mall for the parade to the cenotaph in New Bridge Street.

At the cenotaph the Very Rev Henry Hull, Dean of Down, spoke about the significance of the proceedings.

He said: “We are conscious that is exactly 100 years to the day since the guns went silent to end the Great War. We remember those who died and we also remember those who died in conflicts ever since.”

The opening hymn, O God Our Help in Ages Past, was followed by a ure reading from the Book of Micah by Fr Maurice Henry.

Binyon’s Lines were read from the steps of the cenotaph by Mr Andy Campbell, chairman of the local Royal British Legion branch, after which the standards were lowered and The Last Post was sounded by a bugler from Dunmore Silver Band.

Following a minute’s silence Reveille was sounded and the wreath-laying ceremony began.

Mr Campbell laid a wreath on behalf of the Legion, escorted by Mrs Debbie Buick, while Mr Jim Smyth laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal Air Force Association, accompanied by Mr David Rose.

DUP councillor Harry Harvey laid a wreath on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Mr John Hanna laid a wreath on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party.

A wreath on behalf of the Fire and Rescue Service was laid by Firefighter Gary Fitzpatrick, who was accompanied to the cenotaph by his six year-old daughter, Emily.

A wreath on behalf of the PSNI was laid by Sergeant Peter McAlea, who was accompanied by Constable Lindsay Cameron.

Mr Jim Cochrane laid a wreath in memory of his uncle, UDR Private James Cochrane, who was murdered in an IRA landmine attack outside Castlewellan in January 1980.

Mrs Gwen Orr laid a wreath in memory of her brother, UDR Private John Moreland, who was murdered as he delivered coal in Downpatrick in December 1988.

Downpatrick Scout Group were represented at the commemoration for the first time and their wreath was laid by Antonia O’Goan, who was escorted by her sister, Aoise.

The Downpatrick Baptist Girls’ Brigade wreath was laid by Holly Yeo, who was escorted by Farrah Stevenson and Holly Edgar.

Mrs Deirdre Ferris, escorted by Mrs Anne Rickard, laid a wreath on behalf of Downpatrick Women’s Institute.

The prayers were led by the Rev Owen Patterson, minister of Downpatrick Presbyterian Church, who gave thanks to those “who gave their lives, their bodies and their minds to give us freedom.”

The hymn, Abide With Me, was followed by the blessing from the Rev Scott McDonald, rector of Down Parish Church. The Rev David Steers, minister of Downpatrick Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, also took part in the service.

Following the National Anthem, the commemoration ended with a parade past the cenotaph. The parade marshal was Mr Sammy Daye.